a strange exercise

This exercise is to emulate the 19th Century model of serialized bookwriting. Dickens, Verne and a host of others would write chapters, on deadline, to the monthly or weekly publications of their day, then publish the completed book at the end of the run.

Although I'm not doing this for a magazine, and have no deadlines, I'm hoping that the pressure of hanging it out in the digital winds for all (with nothing else better to do) to see will have the same motivating effect. Perhaps I'm being naive.

This work is being fleshed out from a 120-page original screenplay I wrote in the mid-90s. Should there be interest, I'll post later about its origins and inspirations, which range from Harold Bloom to an editorial cartoon that appeared shortly after the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building by a native terrorist. Please remind me later, if you would, in the comments.

This is (or will be) a work of historical fiction. Though I'm not an historian by trade or study, I did a fair amount of research when writing the script, plowing through stacks of actual books in a library (in Los Angeles, as oxymoronic as that may sound). Those so inclined may find tons of fact errors, anachronisms and inconsistencies. Bravo and bully for you. I'm writing a story. If the rest of you are entertained, I'm gratified. Please don't, however, cite this work in your Medieval Studies term paper.

I'm not certain whether the tone of the screenplay will translate to prose, nor am I certain it's entirely appropriate that it does. Nor will I prejudice both of you dear souls reading this by declaring that tone at the outset. If I'm doing my job correctly, it will appear slowly through the mists.

I also resolve to avoid clichés like the plague.

Sorry.

I never get tired of that one.